Daizen Maeda is now producing the kind of form Celtic supporters normally associate with Henrik Larsson.
After his Scottish Cup goal, the Japanese forward has scored in seven consecutive matches for Celtic across all competitions. Only Larsson has managed a longer run for the club since 1990.
That statistic alone places Maeda’s recent form into historic territory. More importantly, it reflects how dependable he has become during the biggest moments of Celtic’s season.
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Only Henrik Larsson has produced a longer modern Celtic scoring streak
Maeda’s scoring run has now moved beyond a temporary burst of form. Celtic have relied on him repeatedly during the run-in, and he continues to deliver.
His streak includes goals against Rangers, Hearts and Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup Final. Those are not meaningless fixtures padded out against weak opposition. They are decisive matches with trophies and pressure attached.
Only Henrik Larsson’s eight-game scoring streak stands above Maeda in the modern era. Jorge Cadete also managed seven consecutive matches back in 1997, which underlines the level Maeda is currently operating at.
The comparison to Larsson is not about legacy or overall quality. Nobody should force that argument. What it does show is how rare this level of consistency actually is at Celtic.
Maeda has become Celtic’s most important player
For years, Maeda’s game was built around relentless pressing, pace and work rate. The end product could be inconsistent at times.
That version of Maeda no longer exists.
The forward has produced 17 goals and nine assists this season, while continuing to lead Celtic’s pressing game from the front.
He also delivered when Celtic needed him most. He scored twice against Rangers, helped secure the title run-in and opened the scoring in the Scottish Cup Final.
Celtic’s domestic double was built on consistency during the closing weeks of the season. No player embodied that more than Maeda.
Supporters always knew what effort they would get from him. They are now watching a player delivering elite numbers as well.
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